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A simple survey undertaken by the Good For Manly group clearly shows that locals don’t want a car park built under Manly Oval.

Circulated widely, including by the Chamber of Commerce who support the Oval car park, the survey asked four simple questions. So far 754 people have responded with a clear message: No Oval Car Park 75.20%, Keep Whistler Street Car Park 71.58%, Revitalise the laneways in Manly 92.30%, Have a referendum to decide 81.00%.

Strong opposition is building against Manly Council’s 2015 Plan that has at its core the demolition of the centrally located Whistler Street car park and the building of a $34million new car park under Manly Oval. This week former Mayors of Manly, Sue Sacker and Peter Macdonald, publicly came out against the project.

“The community are angry. They don’t believe they have been listened to by Manly Council. Despite hundreds of letters against the Oval car park project, a public meeting attended by 400 people, 8 out of the 9 active resident precinct groups voting strongly against the car park and complaints lodged with Mike Baird’s office, the Liberal majority on the Council seem hell-bent on pushing this through”, claimed Independent Councillor, Candy Bingham.

The four independent Councillors, Clrs Barbara Aird, Candy Bingham, Hugh Burns and Cathy Griffin, submitted independent expert reports to the Office of Local Government raising serious questions about the viability of the Manly 2015 Plan.

“We have come to the conclusion that Manly Council is under estimating the financial cost, construction risk, and community opinion, and over estimating its own ability.” Clr Bingham said.

A final assessment on the Oval Car Park project is expected to be received from the Office of Local Government shortly.

We do not want to spend the money on these projects. Upgrading the lanes could be done relatively inexpensively. Putting in walls to fire proof the stairwell is all that is needed I believe to meet regulations. You could beautify it by putting planter boxes along every ssecond outside walls like they do in Hawaii with bogunvillias with inexpensive watering system, would look absolutely super. As a rate payer I don't want my rates going up to an exorbitent amount (along with eveything else) to where I cannot afford to live in a house that I have since 1985, just to suit a few councillors grand ideas.

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John Roper

16/6/2014 05:08:44 am

I am completely against a car park under the Manly Oval. I live in Raglan Street Manly so do not want the traffic congestion or the huge debt that the cost of the car park would saddle us with when all council needs to do is do up the Whistler Street Car Park. At least let the residents of Manly have say by having a referendum.

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Dawn and Warren Riley

16/6/2014 09:07:41 am

We have attended all the meeting against the Manly Pool and the 2015 Project and agree totally that a referendum is the only obvious way to convince Council that these developments are not needed or wanted

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Perer Emery

16/6/2014 09:58:00 am

Let's get on with the 2015 plan & bring Manly up to being a vibrant & exciting place to live & a world tourist destination.
Those people opposed are "We can't afford it" We were fortunate that or for fathers took the gamble & had the foresight to "go get it".
The action of not to proceed will see Manly becoming stagnant & a second rate village in 10 years.
HAVE THE GUTS & LETS DO IT?????

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Betty Thomas

17/6/2014 09:20:58 am

As a resident of Birkley Road I want to see a traffic report on how the traffic will be managed - the traffic into Manly is of great concern at the moment using Birkley Road - taking into account the Nursing Home. Have the Police given a report or been approached for an opinion? We must have a referendum.

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Susan Mayfield

17/6/2014 12:19:28 pm

No to the insanity of a carpark under Manly Oval.
Yes to having a referendum!!!!
Council needs to listen to Manly residents, something they haven't done for a long time.

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Jean Morgan

19/6/2014 07:49:08 am

As a senior citizen I abhor the idea of the extra walking distance to the Corso shops. Please give us a referendum and make Manly Council listen to us.

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william smith

20/6/2014 01:48:58 am

the area used to flood,what cost new under ground drainage and pumping during construction ????

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To make a positive change to the way Council is run:1. A strong independent council2. Open, transparent and accountable administration3. Genuine public consultation on all major issues4. A better vision for Manly5. Addressing popular residents' needs

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